Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 475 i Your Horse

IF YOU WERE asked what your essential piece of kit is, what would you say? Besides my hat, saddle and bridle, my vote goes to my neck strap. I personally wouldn’t ride without one — to the extent that I keep it in the boot of my car and if I arrive to ride a friend’s horse and he doesn’t have one on, on mine goes. Not that I use it very often, I just like knowing it’s there. Gone are the days when neck straps were only for beginners — and they’re now much more fashionable than the traditional old stirrup leather too. We asked riders of all levels about their views on neck straps (p38) and everyone said they won’t ride without one — from hacking a horse…

Laurance was rescued by Rod and Sue Weeding, who run Spain’s Easy Horse Care Centre Foundation, in 2018. He was found in a skeletal state due to his owner no longer being able to afford to feed him. Volunteer Jasmin Infeld became so fond of him while he was recovering at the foundation that she adopted him, and he recently arrived at her home in Switzerland looking a picture of health. Jasmin has now set up a Swiss branch of the foundation in order to support the Weedings’ rescue work. The hope is that more equines rescued in Spain will now be able to find adoptive homes in Switzerland. “Animal welfare laws are stricter with much greater enforcement in Switzerland,” said a statement. “The country offers better grazing and many…

1 His father, Steve, was a speed demon, winning numerous motocross titles before switching his attentions to racing cars, including in Formula Ford. 2 Steve also worked as a kitchen fitter and he was once paid with a pony, which became Ben’s second equine. 3 When Ben was growing up he would ride many of the naughty horses and ponies locally, charging £5 a time. 4 To round off 2016, he married his long-term girlfriend and fellow eventer, Emma Carmichael, on New Year’s Eve. 5 He’s become a regular swimmer in the North Sea. “We go to the beach before sunrise, run into the North Sea and are swimming when the sun comes up,” says Ben.…

EMAIL US AT yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk We are currently unable to receive any letters by post. Our star letter from Chrissy sees her win a copy of The Secret Life of a Vet, by Rory Cowlam. Rory is a vet in a busy London practice and he is a regular on CBBC’s The Pets Factor and Blue Peter. This is his first book and it provides light-hearted insight into the world of front-line veterinary practice. £18.99. Buy at amazon.co.uk. Back to nature I thought I’d never own another horse after our business failed and we had to rehome ours eight years ago. But now I’m so fortunate to have been asked by an old farmer to help him with his cob mare. I get to look after her but with no cost…

KATE NEGUS SADDLERY NECK STRAP £40.00 BUY AT katenegus.com This English leather neck strap has two keepers to keep any excess leather neat and tidy. There’s plenty of adjustment for a good fit, and a brass buckle. Ideal whether you’re competing, riding a youngster horse or appreciate an extra place to grab. BESPOKE SXC NECK STRAPS RRP FROM £19.99 BUY AT superxcountry.co.uk This equine safety neck strap is made from BioThane, which looks and feels like leather and is durable, easy to clean and waterproof. These straps come in a huge range of colours and can be customised with your name, your horse’s name, business name, team name or logo. You can choose from a range of fasteners and buckles too. SALUTE EQUESTRIAN CLICK & CONNECT CHAMPIONSHIP RANGE RRP FROM…

MOVEMENT In canter on the right rein, the horse’s legs move in the following order: ► Left hind ► Right hind and left fore together ► Right fore (leading) — then suspension In canter on the left rein, legs move as follows: ► Right hind ► Left hind and right fore together ► Left fore (leading) — then suspension SOUND Canter has a three-time evenly spaced beat separated by a moment of suspension. The faster the horse moves, the longer the moment of suspension. 1-2-3 — 1-2-3 In a collected canter lacking impulsion, a fourth beat may occasionally be heard as the diagonal pair dissociates. This is termed a four-beat canter and is recognised as incorrect movement.…

“When assessing how fit your horse is, respiration is driven by the horse’s body temperature so it wouldn’t be a good way to assess fitness in the cold months versus the hot months because the respiratory rate can be higher when it’s hotter,” says David. “If your horse is still blowing after 10 minutes, you’ve worked him hard. As horses get fitter, they often sweat earlier and produce less foam. Muscle tone and the horse’s outlook on exercise are two other good indicators—if they are still keen and forward after an hour’s work, I’d say they are pretty fit.”…

I wouldn’t expect the horse to look to the rider if ridden in company, more so to the other horses. I would expect it when ridden alone, as the rider is the only other “herd mate”, and especially so if the horse has additional experience of receiving help from that person in other situations. Some research has recorded instances of horses looking — or, rather, staring — at humans when food was hidden in a box they couldn’t open. Although this involved a food puzzle, not a fear-related situation, there might be cross-over for some horses.…

Keeping horses at your new property requires some further considerations if the land use is currently agricultural only. Grazing horses in your fields is covered by this planning status. However, the minute you feed a horse some hay or give bucket feeds on the same land, or use it for schooling, the use changes from agriculture to an equestrian use. Planning permission for change of use is required for this. Under the associated ‘permitted development rights’, temporary changes of use of land are allowed for a maximum of 28 days per calendar year without needing permission. But if you know you will be using your field(s) in this way more often, for example, leaving out a set of show jumps for much of the year, it is a much more…

The owner: Lisa Tanner The horse: Barney, a 14.2hh Welsh Cob gelding The problem: Barney finishes his feed too quickly and then causes a commotion on the yard. Lisa says that Barney is constantly watching his waistline. He’s turned out on a bare paddock every day and at night he is given 30% of his forage ration as straw and the remainder as soaked hay. The problem is at yard mealtimes — he finishes his cup of low-calorie balancer within minutes and then persistently kicks his stable door, while all the other horses are finishing their tea. Barney would benefit from a double handful of a low-calorie chopped fibre with his balancer to bulk out the bucket and extend his eating time. New research has shown that meals containing at least 15% of short…

On sale 4 March 2021 Mane and tail SOS Transform your horse’s locks after a tough winter ALSO IN THIS ISSUE ❋ How to make schooling at home more exciting ❋ Jumping exercises you can do with minimal equipment ❋ What latest research into gastric ulcers means for your horse’s wellbeing1 ❋ What your horse’s eyes say about his health ❋ Expert advice for rehabilitating an ex-racehorse ❋ On test: brushing boots for every discipline…

Freelance gear editor Allison Lowther: There’s something mysterious about magnetic therapy. A lot of people think it’s mumbo jumbo, but having seen its positive effects on my horses I believe it does do something. Find out more on page 104. Dressage rider Lili Brooksby-Dalby: If your horse doesn’t always apply himself when working on the flat, I share my tips to inspire enthusiasm in him — and you — by making dressage fun on page 52. Elite event rider Ben Hobday: When something like cancer happens, doctors and nurses are the magicians. So many people I didn’t know were kind to me. I’m so grateful that there are people like that in the world. Interview, page 14. BHS Stage Four coach Nina Gill: If you’ve ever thought pole work is…

HOODIES FOR MENTAL HEALTH Aimee Carson is selling hoodies with a horse-head logo and the statement: ‘it’s okay not to be okay don’t give up’ to raise money for MIND and Improving Lives, a local organisation in Liverpool that supports men with their mental health. It’s in memory of her son Oliver’s father John Chew, who took his own life last year. From £21.50 Buy via Instagram@equestrian_mentalhealth SOMETHING FOR MUM Put a smile on your horsey mum’s face with a box filled with high-quality items from Forelock & Fringe. Items include beauty and lifestyle products as well as horsey treats and accessories. Choose from a one-off box or a rolling monthly subscription. From £25 forelockandfringe.co.uk JUST USE A BIT… Add a bit of country chic to your bathroom with this…

YOU DON’T HAVE to win to be a winner. Take event rider Ben Hobday. He didn’t lift the trophy at Badminton 2016, but he did become the king of hearts. It was the small stuffed pony that did it. As the part-Clydesdale Mulrys Error launched over each giant cross-country fence, the tiny toy, stuffed into Ben’s back number-bib, dived forward, only to be flung backwards on landing in harmony with its human pilot. The floppy-limbed toy was Willberry Wonder Pony, the creation of Hannah Francis, and it was a symbol of her charity, as well as cancer, suffering, striving, supporting and, sometimes, surviving. Hannah, able to watch that Badminton, was already seriously ill with osteosarcoma, and she died three months later. “I’ve never met anyone so brave in my life,”…

For anyone wanting to own a share in a top event horse, Ben is offering 500 people the chance to buy into Shadow Man II for £250 per share. The Shadow Man Experience will allow members of the public behind the scenes as Ben aims Shadow Man II at Badminton 2021. The experience will run from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021, and shareholders will receive weekly training updates, competition videos, yard visits and course-walks, plus priority access to training clinics with Ben. For more information, visit eventhorseownerssyndicate.co.uk/buy-a-share/shadow-man-ii/…

Journalist and leisure rider Sarah Moore was inspired to try rowing after spectating at the London 2012 Olympics, writes Aimi Clark. A week later, she enrolled at her local rowing club and was soon training on and off the water four times a week. “A few months later, while riding cross-country, I realised my keen and strong horse didn’t make my arms ache anymore and I wasn’t puffing when we crossed the finish line,” says Sarah, whose training schedule involves lifting weights, circuits and rowing machine workouts, as well as rowing on the water. “I’d never lifted weights before but found I was good at it — I think years of carrying feed bags and hay bales gave me an advantage — and I enjoyed it. I quickly became fitter…

Canter is the gait which creates the most back flexion and extension. As the hindlegs come underneath the body more or less together, back and pelvic movement in conjunction with flexion and extension of the lumbosacral junction results in the tilting of the pelvis and contributes to hindlimb stride length. In canter: ■ The back actively flexes and extends with each stride. ■ Left and right spinal flexor and extensor muscle chains contract almost simultaneously. ■ The abdominal line shortens with each stride.…

Horses are very tuned in to how their handlers are feeling. If you are uptight and anxious, your horse will pick up on that. Teaching him calming techniques is also a great time to practise your own. ➤ Work on deep breaths and grounding, releasing tension that may communicate to your horse and cause more excitability. ➤ Try taking slow deep breaths as you’re standing with your horse. ➤ After rewarding him, inhale deeply and breathe out slowly before asking your horse to walk on. ➤ As you’re leading, focus on dropping your shoulders. Walk with a slow rhythm to help prevent your horse rushing, and soften your hand on the lead rope to improve your feel and communication.…

Horses who perhaps haven’t come out of winter well may have noticeably lost weight and condition. There can be a lack of muscle and topline, the hindquarters may appear angular, the spine may be prominent or the ribs more so than they should be (a healthy horse can show its ribs so it’s not always a sign of being too thin). Or there may be a lack of neck muscle with an overly prominent nuchal ligament. This is the ligament that runs along the top of the neck, from poll to withers. A poor horse will have a starey, dull, dandruffy coat as opposed to a clean, shiny winter coat. The horse’s energy levels may be low, and they can look tired and depressed. Also look out for general stiffness,…

If you have a specific event or competition to aim for, David advises giving yourself around 10 to 12 weeks to prepare. “People can start too early — if you’re targeting an event in May, you don’t need to be hammering around the roads in December,” says David. “More time off is probably better for your horse. I’d allow 10 weeks, but factor in a month of bad weather when you can’t ride. “If they have been out of work for two or three months and have put on quite a bit of weight, you could be looking at a month of ground work before you even get on. If the horse has maintained its condition and has no existing problems, you could get away with a couple of weeks…

She loves you, yeah? Q My mare is so choosy about affection. Sometimes she enjoys a head scratch and being pampered, especially if she is coming into season, but the rest of the time she moves away from being stroked or patted. I more or less have to chase her around the stable for a cuddle! Does she hate me? Debbie Fowler, Lancashire Jenni says... “Choosy” is a great choice of word, and you’ve hit the nail on the head there. Horses, particularly mares, usually have only one or two grooming partners within their social group. A grooming session is by mutual consensus. One or both make an approach, may pause, give a test scratch, and, if acceptable to both parties, a scratching session will follow until one or both…

A friendly environment? Q My horse and I have recently moved to the other side of the country. Would you recommend a riding club as a place to make new friends, or is it more competitive? Helen Smith, South Yorkshire Bella says… Joining a riding club is definitely a good way to make new friends when you’re new to an area. All clubs are different — some are more competitive while others focus on training or social activities — so you could contact local ones to see what kind of activities they run and decide which will suit you best. Covid-19 restrictions affect what riding clubs can do at the moment. Our club usually runs a mixture of social activities, including quiz nights, talks and group hacks, as well as…

How much is too much? Q I jump my horse two or three times a week (lesson, school and competition). Recently, she feels a little more lethargic than usual and has started knocking poles down with her back legs. Sometimes she will throw in a stop too, which she never used to do. Is she just fed up or could this be a physical issue? Shelley Cooper, Merseyside Shirley says… While jumping your horse every day may lead to him/her going stale, most horses are fine to jump two to three times a week, provided they are fit enough and enjoy jumping. Any changes in performance may be an early sign of a physical issue so I would definitely advise that your vet checks your horse. Back or pelvis pain, gastric…

MATCHING OUTFIT You’ll look and feel great in this matching base layer and leggings from Gray Equestrian. The base layer is great for layering or wearing on its own, while the brushed fleece lining of the leggings will keep out the cold. These offer an incredibly comfortable and flattering fit, with a wide and high waistband to offer support and 360°-degree technical stretch fabric to fit like a glove. The full seat gives extra security in the saddle when you need it. Both pieces are made from a technical fabric which keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Wicks away any moisture and is breathable. RRP £30 (base layer), £45 (fleece-lined leggings) BUY AT grayequestrian.co.uk WASTE NOT, WANT NOT The FOMO Form Fly Veil is lightweight, breathable, soft to…

WAHL ADELAR PRO RRP £179 BUY AT shoplister-global.com A professional trimmer perfect for those little touch ups. The two lithium-ion battery packs will give you up to 120 minutes of run time from a single 75-minute charge. Fitted with the new diamond-ground stainless- steel blade set, you’ll get a perfect cut every time. CLIPPERMAN JEWEL TRIMMER RRP £38 BUY AT clipperman.co.uk Perfect for trimming hair on the face or legs, and for a general tidy-up, the Jewel trimmer has low noise and vibration. The built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery gives you up to five hours’ run time and the LCD battery charge display shows you how long you have before you need to recharge. There are four cutting settings plus adjustable combs so you can get the perfect finish. WAHL ADORE…

How do horses fit in with your television work? I’ve been really fortunate with my career that if ever there’s a riding holiday or an Escape To The Country [linked to horses] I would volunteer for it. I’ve ridden on beaches, been taught to ride side-saddle and competed in a showjumping competition — Only Fools On Horses — for Sport Relief [and finished second]. After Only Fools On Horses I was asked to host the Spanish Riding School when they came to the UK and also did a masterclass with Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin. If there’s an equestrian angle to be had I will find it. Have you always loved horses? When I was growing up my teacher said to my parents, “We’re going to have to stop Nicki…

EQUINE HEALTH Worming less is not detrimental to horse health, finds study New research has found that reducing how often a horse is wormed (de-worming) does not have any adverse health risks to horses. The study, carried out by Dr Martin Nielsen, involved 99 mares and 93 foals at four stud farms in New Zealand and evaluated the worm egg count levels, bodyweight and overall health in the equines under different parasite control protocols. Protocols included traditional approaches with frequent worming and drug rotation, and the currently recommended practices of less worming and more worm egg counts. “Internal parasites, predominantly strongyles and ascarids, are omnipresent at equine yards,” said Dr Nielsen. “But a persistent growing resistance to the anthelmintics we have available is challenging us to find more sustainable and…

Every year in the UK around 210 people are diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, most of them children, with more males than females affected. Burkitt lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a cancer of the lymphatic system in which abnormal lymphocytes build up in the lymph nodes or other organs of the body, such as the abdomen. According to Cancer Research UK, general symptoms range from painless swellings to night sweats, weight loss, high temperatures and unexplained itching. ■ For more detailed information, visit cancerresearchuk.org.…

Amanda Bronkhorst is a mother of one who founded JUST ONE Tree in 2019. She is working hard to restore the planet for future generations, one tree at a time. Work life… I set up JUST ONE Tree to give everyone the ability to combat climate change and reverse biodiversity loss — it costs just £1 to plant a tree. We now plant trees in seven countries. We’re also helping to tackle ocean acidification and rising sea temperatures via kelp forest regeneration in the Philippines and off the Australian coast. We help bring environmental education into UK classrooms, and we hold a nationwide event, JUST ONE Tree Day, which provides a springboard for environmental projects and tree planting. The inaugural event saw 80,000 children plant a forest of over 100,000…

Traditionally, many riders repurpose an old stirrup leather as a neck strap. There’s usually a spare leather lying around in the tack room and they have a nice advantage in that they can be adjusted to fit every horse because they have multiple holes. However, purpose-designed neck straps have come on to the market (see p42). They can be cut to size and personalised with your colours, name and an emergency contact number — brilliant for hacking in case you and your horse part company. Becci Harrold of Super X Country (see box, p42) is a keen amateur eventer. She found an old stirrup leather was too bulky and hard to grab hold of when needed. She also wanted to be able to match it to her cross-country colours and…

MISSED PARTS ONE & TWO? Buy Your Horse January and February 2021 at shop.kelsey.co.uk/issue/YHR MEET THE EXPERT GILLIAN HIGGINS is an authority in equine anatomy and biomechanics, a British Horse Society senior coach and a professional sports and remedial therapist. Gillian specialises in assessing posture and movement, devising exercises for improving performance and educating horse owners. She is known for her books, videos and anatomical painting on live horses, which she uses for teaching. Visit horsesinsideout.com. CANTER IS AN asymmetrical three-beat gait with a moment of suspension. The speed within the gait varies but generally averages at about 17 miles per hour. Momentum carries the horse forward and helps him to maintain balance, even when there is only one leg on the ground. Canter is a particularly useful gait for:…

Research is beginning to demonstrate that horses show signs of distress, such as contracting their backs and bellies, and making threats to bite, when they are touched in a way that is aversive to them. Horses subjected to a standard grooming routine, for example, were compared to horses groomed only on parts of their body that they preferred. The first group of horses showed a contracted back and belly, whereas the second group showed more friendly behaviour, seeking to touch and nibble their human handlers. The take-home message from your experience and this research is: take time to find out where and when your horse likes to be touched and how. And use this knowledge when you want to have friendly contact with them. FACIAL EXPRESSIONS DURING STANDARD GROOMING SESSION:…

Change of use Q I have just bought a farm with barns and outbuildings, set in 60 acres of land. Where do I stand with changing the use of one of the existing barns into a private indoor arena for exercising my horses? If I wanted to allow others to hire the space in the future, would I need to do anything differently? The property is not within a National Park. Sam Nichols, Cleveland Fenella says… Not being within a National Park makes this process slightly more straightforward. However, if the planning status of your new farm currently describes its use as purely ‘agricultural’, which it presumably does, then yes, you will require planning permission for change of use of this barn. Its use will become ‘equestrian’ instead. Future-proofing If you…

Rug rage Q My Thoroughbred mare has started scowling and biting the door when her rugs are put on. Front straps seem to be the trigger. Her routine hasn’t changed and she doesn’t do it when being saddled. Is this a sign of a physical issue, or is it behavioural? Stephanie Swales, Aberdeen Shirley says… When dealing with any changes of temperament in your horse, it is always worth ruling out any physical causes before treating it as a behaviour issue. Like ourselves, horses have different pain thresholds and personalities, so they all respond differently. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is one of the first things I would rule out in a horse that has changed its behaviour in response to normal handling/stable management. Your vet can perform a gastroscope, whereby…

CONDUCTIVE MAGNO RUG RRP £279.95 SIZES Medium, large BUY AT lemieuxproducts.com The LeMieux Conductive Magno Rug’s inner liner has a woven layer of steel fibres directly under powerful 2600 gauss twin magnets, over five key areas: the shoulder, elbow, hip, stifle and second thigh. The steel filaments conduct magnetic waves around the lining, bringing the whole upper body within the magnetic field. A 3D mesh top releases any excess heat; lightweight mesh on the lower section encourages air flow. FMBS MAGNETIC THERAPY UNIVERSAL WRAPS RRP £49.99 per pair BUY AT fmbs.co.uk Magnetic Universal Wraps are designed to be used on any leg. They are comfortable and offer magnetic therapy to the knee, hock and lower leg areas. There are 16 strategically placed circular magnets per boot, of 1,000 gauss per…